Getting there: take the A27 northwards towards Cortina to where it finishes at Pian di Vedoia; continue to Longarone and turn left onto the highway SS. 251 up the Val Zoldana. Pass through Forno di Zoldo and park the car at Forcella Staulanza, 1766m. Alternatively, for those coming from the Agordino or the Falzarego and Giau mountain passes, reach the Forcella from the Val Fiorentina.

from Forcella Staulanza, 1766 m to Rifugio Città di Fiume, 1918 m:from the Forcella Staulanza pass take the path NE which, after a short uphill section, joins up with the path no. 472; this then leads in about one hour to the Rifugio Città di Fiume, 1918m.

from Rifugio Città di Fiume, 1918 m to Forcella Ambrizzola, 2277 m:from Rifugio Città di Fiume continue along the no. 467 that rises up below the Col de La Puìna, 2254m, to reach the Forcella de La Puìna, 2034m. Once the Forcella de Col Roan, 2075m has been reached, follow the no. 458 for about 1km to the Malga Prendera, 2148m and the path no. 436. This then leads past the Becco di Mezzodì to the Forcella Ambrizzola (2277m, 2/2,30 hours from Rifugio Città di Fiume);

from Forcella Ambrizzola, 2227m to Passo Giau, 2236m:
walk down the no. 436, past the head of the Mondevál valley and the Alpe di Mondevál, up to the Forcella Giau, 2360m. This is an extremely panoramic and historically important vantage point, characterised by the Lastói di Formin and the Mondevàl pasture.

Continue by crossing over the pass and following the path 100m below, that leads to the Pocòl - Passo Giau road, at the height of the Casera Giau turn off. Continue leftwards along the no. 436 diagonally beneath the Monte Loschiesuói, and up to the Forcella di Col Piombin, 2239m. From here cross the nearby Forcella di Zónia to arrive shortly afterwards at Passo Giau (2236m, 2/2,30 hours from the Forcella Ambrizzola).

The views onto the Monte Pelmo's North Face, Civetta and, further away, onto the Marmolada and Sella, are quite outstanding.

Approaching the Forcella Ambrizzola, with the Lastoni di Formin, Cima Ambrizzola and Croda da Lago in the background.(photo E. Falghera)

The panorama from Forcella Ambrizzola is truly unique: all the most important peaks in the Cortina valley can be seen clearly. These include Pomagagnon, Tondi di Faloria, Sorapiss and Antelao.

to the left: a view from the Val Formin along the lengthy descent.(photo E. Falghera)